Conveyer.



Patented Dec. I0, 190i. T. S. MILLER &. J. H. DICKINSON.

00 N V E Y E B.

(Application filed June 19, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

2) L'vzeosea 31: Nana's PETERS PniwoLnn-w.v wnsumcrom 0 c.

Patented Dec. [0, IBQI. T. S. MILLER &. J. H. DICKINSON.

C 0 N V E Y E R (Application filed June 19, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

sea W4 $49 awn/Hm. v

No. 688,475. Patentiiad Dec. I0, [90L T. s. MILLER &,.|. H. DICKINSON.

C 0 N V E Y E 8.

(Application filed June 19, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Shqef a.

(No Model.)

' Jar/e sa smile wi/bnwoeo UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS SPENCER MILLER, OF SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, AND JOSEPH H. DICKINSON, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

CONVEYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 688,475, dated December 10, 1901. Application filed June 19, 1900. Serial No. 20,796. (No model.)

T at whom i may n n: The cable 0, upon which the carriage and the Be it known that we,THOMAs SPENCER MIL- 'grip travel, is supported upon these head and LER, aresident of South Orange, in the county tail supports and anchored in any convenient ofEssexand State of NewJersey, and JOSEPH manner. An engine K is shown in Fig. 1 5 II. DICKINSON, a resident of Atlanta, in the provided with three drums 70, k, and 70 said county of Fulton and State of Georgia, citiengine being any convenient form of threezens of the UnitedStates, have invented a drum engine, such as is quite generally used newand Improved Oonveyer, of which the folfor similar purposes, and is therefore not lowing is a full, clear, and exact description. illustrated or described in detail. This en- IO Ourinvention relates to an improvement in gine, in addition to the usual devices, has 'a hoisting and conveying devices which are eslever N, to which is connected a trip-rope C pecially adapted for use in connection with by means of which the device which looks the cableways, although much of the device grip near the head-support is released. The might be used in connection with a conveying carriage, which is shown in Fig. 2, is in the I5 mechanism employing a rigid track or withmain of any suitable construction. As herein out any track, the load-pulling and outhaul shown, it consists of plates E, forming the ropes serving as the only support other than frame of the carriage, in which are journaled the ground. t two wheels 6, which travel upon'the support- Our invention comprises certain novel feaing-cable C. The carriage is also provided 2o tures which will be hereinafter described, with two guide-rollers e which support the and particularly pointed out in the claims. carriage outhaul-rope Cl, and with a roller e, Reference is to be had to the accompanying about which the grip outhaul-rope 0 passes. drawings, forming a part of this specification, To the lower part of the carriage is connected in which similar characters of reference indi-' a clevis or sheave-frame F, in which is jour- 25 cate corresponding parts in all the figures. naled a wheel F, over which the hoisting-rope Figure 1 is anelevation showing the gen- C passes. The grip G,which is shown in Figs. eral operation of our device. Fig. 2 is a de- 2 and 3, has a frame composed of the twobars tail showing the carriage and the traveling or plates G, in the upper end of which is jourgrip in their relative positions when in use. naled a wheel g, which travels upon the sup- 0 Fig. 3 is an elevation of the traveling grip, porting-cable O and supports the Weight of taken at right angles to the view shown in the grip. A guide-wheel g is also provided Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the trip within the frame, upon which travels the grip and grip locking device with a portion of outhaul-rope 0 Between the lower ends of the grip, showing their manner of operation. the plates forming the frame of the grip are 5 Fig. 5 is a plan and partial section of the jour-naled two wheels 9 over which travels same parts. the hoisting -r0pe' 0 Between these two Our device is herein shown as in use upon wheels and beneath the rope G3 is placed a a cableway,-although it will be evident that block H, which forms an abutment for the with only slight or no modifications the derope'to enable the grip, or dog H to engage 9o 40 vice might be used upon a conveyor having and bind the same. This dog H is pivoted a rigid track, or the load-pulling and o'uthaul at its upper end between the frame-plates G ropes may be used independently of any of the grip and has its lower end surface track, such modifications as might be necescurved with a varying radius from its pivot sary being of such a character as to be evipoint, the end h of said curved surface being 45 dent to any mechanic; of a greater radius than the end 72, so that A head-support A and a tail-support A are when it swings to the position shownin Fig. shown, which may be of any construction. 2 it will firmly grip the rope O against the Where the device is used for logging purblock H. In this condition when the rope poses, for which use itis especially designed, is caused to travel toward the left in Fig. mo

50 these head and tail supports would naturally 2 it will carry the grip with it, or if the grip be trees which were conveniently placed. is'caused to travel toward the right, as shown in Fig. 2, it will carry the rope C with it. A spring h is connected with the cam-dog H, so as normally to draw it into its locking position with a slight pressure sufficient to cause its prompt engagement with the rope. The block H would ordinarily be placed below the wheels 9 enough to prevent the hoistingrope from engaging therewith when running out or when the dog H is out of use.

Upon the outer surfaces of the two frameplates of the grip G and at their edges, which are toward the head-support, are placed two flanges I, which are adapted to be engaged by the grip-locking mechanism carried upon the trip, which trip is supported on or near the head-support. The grip outhaul-rope (J is connected to the grip, as shown in Fig. 2. This grip onthaul-rope passes first to the carriage E and then backward toward the headsupport to its engagement with the grip G. Upon one side of the grip a curved bar I is shown, which. forms a guide to retain the carriage outhaul-rope C in place and prevent its becoming entangled.

The mechanism for tripping and holding the grip is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The hoisting-cable 0 passes over the pulley b of a sheave-block B, which is supported upon the head-support. The trip which provides for releasing the grip from the hoisting-cable is herein shown as connected with the sheaveblock 13, although it is evident that it may be supported from any other suitable member. In case it was desired to release the grip at a greater distance from the head-support the trip D might be supported from the supporting-cable. The frame of this tripping and grip-holding device consists of two parts D, which at their outer ends or the ends away from the head-supportfiare outwardly, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Within this outer end of the frame is mounted a sliding block or ram D, which is mounted to slide in suitable guides on the frame D and the bolts D which bolts are also surrounded by springs D acting to hold the block projected a certain amount and to return it after it has been forced inward. To the block D is connected a rope C, which passes over a pulley and downward to the lever N upon the engine, by means of which the operator may Withdraw the block D whenever desired. The outward movement of the ram or block D is limited by engagement with the ends of the bell-crank levers L, which act at different times as stops for the ram D and catches for the rope-grip. The cam-dog H upon the grip has its end It projecting beyond the side edge of the grip-frame and in such position that as it travels toward the trip it will finally engage with the outer end surface of the block D, and the grip will thus be released from the hoisting-cable by forcing the dog toward the right of its position, as shown in Fig. 4.

Upon the outer ends of the frame D of the trip are pivoted two bellcrank levers L, the longer or inner ends of said levers being of sufficient length to engage with theouter end surface of the block D. The flanges I, which project from the sides of the grip, engage the inner arms of these bell-crank levers before the cam-dog H engages the block D. The block D is thus forced inward before it engages the cam-dog H a suflicient amount to free the hoisting-rope. As the block is swung inward by the pressure applied to the bellcrank levers L the springs D are compressed. When it has been swung inward a sufiicient amount, the long arms of the bell-crank levers will swing outward a sufficient amount to clear the block D. The block will then be forced outward by the springs D and will strike the cam dog H a blow sufficiently hard to promptly release the hoisting-rope. When the ram D is forced outward, the in* ner long ends of the catch-levers L lie outside the ram and are prevented therebyfrom swinging back of the position shown in Fig. 5. In this position the short arms of the levers hook over the outer edges of the flanges I, so as to hold the grip against return. The grip will thus be held until the block D is withdrawn by hand through the intervention of the rope 0 As soon as this occurs the spring k will cause the cam-dog H to grip the hoisting-rope 0 If the drum carrying the grip outhaul-rope C is caused to turn so as to wind its rope in, the grip will be caused to travel toward the right of the figures and to carry with it the hoisting-rope G The hoisting-rope is guided in its passage through the trip device D by means of two rollers d, which are journaled in said trip device.

The operation of our device is as follows: Starting with the grip G locked to the trip mechanism (shown in Figs. 4 and 5) the engine is operated so as to cause the carriage E to travel outward upon the cableway. As the outer end of the hoisting-rope C is provided with a pair of tongsf or other suitable mechanism for engagement with the log, the end of the hoisting-rope cannot pass through the pulley F and the hoisting-rope is carried out along with the carriage. The grip outhaul-rope C is also carried out by the same means, although the speed of the grip onthaul-rope will be twice that of the carriage and the hoisting-rope, because one end of it is secured to the grip, and the grip is at that time locked in position and prevented from traveling outward upon the cableway.

In using a device of this character it is desired to have a certain amount of the hoistingrope extending beyond the carriage, so that logs may be drawn in from points extending at some distance at either side of the cableway or beyond the tail-support. When the carriage has traveled a distance from the locked position of the grip equal to the amount of the hoisting-rope which it is desired to have extend beyond the carriage, the trip is released by pulling upon the rope C The further travel of the carriage will thus result in drawing the grip outward with it, provided the friction of the grip in traveling upon the cableway is less than the friction of the drum upon which the grip outhaul-rope is wound. This may be regulated by a brake, if necessary. The grip may also be caused to travel outward by winding in upon the grip outhaulrope. By one of these means the grip is caused to travel outward upon the cableway, so as to pull with it the hoisting-rope,and thus to provide as much slack as necessary to reach the logs desired. If the amount of slack pro- I duced by this means is not quite suflicient for the purpose, it is a comparatively easy matter to pull out the hoisting-rope the short distance desired by hand, as the grip will not engage the hoisting-rope except it is moved in one direction.

The rope O has herein been called a hoisting-rope, although it is something more than that. It is, in effect, a combined hoisting and load-pulling rope, as the travel of the carriage toward the head-support is caused by the pull upon the rope 0 We have therefore in some of the claims referred to this rope as a loadpulling rope, which is correct, as it is relied upon to move the carriage in one direction.

It is evident that our device might be operated without the main or trackway cable (J, if desired, although the use of such cable has some advantages. In such case the outhaul and hoisting ropes would serve in combina tion as the supporting-ropes. The carriage, the grip, and the tripping and holding devices might be much simplified without departing from the spirit of our invention or changing their function.

It is evident that many of the parts of our device might be materially changed in appearance without changing their essential characteristics. We do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the exact form of device herein shown nor to the exact method of operating the same. The omission of any elements in any claim is to be taken as a formal declaration that the omitted elements are not essential to the particular combination therein mentioned.

Having thus fully described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a conveying device in combination, a load-pulling rope, a carriage, carriage-traversing means, an outhaul-rope, and a grip actuated by said outhaul-rope and adapted to engage the load-pulling rope to draw it outwardly. A

2. In a conveying device in combination, a l0ad-pulling rope, a load-carriage, carriagetraversing means, an outhaul-rope, a grip ac tuated by said outhaul-rope and adapted to engage the load-pulling rope to pull it outward, and means for automatically releasing the grip when it reaches a certain inward position.

3. In a conveying device in combination, a load-pulling rope, a load-carriage, carriagetraversing means, an outhaul-rope, a grip actuated by said outhaul-rope and adapted to engage the load-pulling rope ,to pull it outward, and a trip adapted to contact with and release the grip from the load-pulling, rope, at a certain point in the inward travel of the grip.

4. In a conveying device in combination, a load-pulling rope, a carriage, carriage-traversing means, an outhaul-rope, a grip secured -to said outhaul-rope and adapted to engage the load-pulling rope to pull it outward, and a trip and holding device adapted to both free the grip from the load-pulling rope and to hold the grip.

, 5. In a conveying device in combination, a load-pulling rope, a carriage, carriage-traversin g means, an outhaul-rope, a grip secured to said outhaul-rope and adapted to engage the load-pulling rope, to pull it outward, and a combined grip freeing and holding device located inwardly from the extreme travel of the load and adapted to automatically free the grip from the load-pulling rope and to hold the grip.

6. In a conveying device in combination, a load-pulling rope, a carriage, carriage-traversing means, an outhaul-rope, a grip secured to said outhaul-rope and adapted to engage the load-pulling rope, a trip and holding device adapted to both free the grip from the loadpulling rope and to hold the grip, and manually-operative means for releasing the grip from said holding device.

7. In a conveying device in combination, a load-pulling rope, a carriage, carriage-traversing means, an outhaul-rope, a grip secured to said outhaul-rope and adapted to engage the load-pulling rope, a combined grip freeing and holding device located inwardly of the extreme travel of the load and adapted to automatically free the grip from the loadpullin'g rope and also to engage and hold the grip, and manually-operative means for releasing the grip from said holding device.

8. In a conveying device in combination, a load-pulling rope, an outhaul-rope, a grip secured to said outhaul-rope and normally operative to engage the load-pulling rope to pull it outward, mechanism for freeing the grip from the load-pulling ropeat a fixed point in its inward travel, and means for rengaging the grip upon the load-pullin g rope as desired.

9. In a conveying device in combination, a load-pulling rope, an outhaul-rope, a grip secured to said outhaul-rope and embracing the load-pulling rope, and normally operative to hold the load-pulling rope against movement therethrough in one direction, means for automatically releasing the grip from the loadpulling rope when it reaches a certain point, and means for rengaging the grip upon the load-pulling rope when desired.

10. In a conveying device in combination, a load-pulling rope, a movable supportingguide therefor, means for moving said guide, an outhaul-rope, a grip secured to said, outhaul-rope and normally operative to hold the load-pulling rope against movement therethrough in one direction, a trip and a holding device adapted respectively to free the grip from the load-pulling rope and to engage and hold the grip, and means for releasing the grip, when desired, to permit its engagement with the load-pulling rope.

11. In a conveying device in combination a load-pulling rope, a movable supportingguide therefor, means for moving said guide, an outhaul-rope, a grip secured to said outhaul-rope and normally operative to engage the load-pulling rope between its guide and the power, a combined grip freeing and holding device adapted at a fixed point to automatically free the grip from the load-pulling rope and to engage and hold the grip, and manually-operative means for releasing the grip from its holding device.

12. In a conveying device in combination a load-pulling rope, an outhaul-rope, a movable support for both of said ropes, means for moving said support, and a grip secured to said outhaul-rope and adapted to automatically grip the load-pulling rope to prevent passage of said load-pullin g rope through it in one direction and to permit its free passage therethrough in the other direction, substantially as described.

13. In a conveying device in combination a load-pulling rope, an outhaul-rope, a supporting and guiding member for both of said ropes and means for moving said member as desired, a grip secured to the outhaul-rope, and adapted to automatically grip the loadpulling rope to prevent passage of said loadpulling rope through it in one direction and to permit its free passage therethrough in the other direction, and a stop adapted to engage said grip to free the load-pulling rope at a certain point in its inward travel.

14. In a conveying device in combination a load-pulling rope, an outhaul-rope, a support and guide for both of said ropes, and means for moving said guide as desired, and a grip secured to said outhaul-rope adapted to automatically grip the load-pulling rope to prevent passage of said loadpulling rope through it in one direction and to permit its free passage therethrough in the other direction, and a combined stop and holding device adapted at a fixed point to engage the grip to free it from the load-pulling rope and to hold it against return.

15. In a conveying device in combination a load-pulling rope, an outhaul-rope, a supportinguide for both of said ropes, means for moving said guide as desired, a grip secured to said outhaul-rope and adapted to automatically grip the load-pulling rope to prevent passage of said load-pulling rope through it in one direction and to permit its free passage therethrough in the other direction, a combined stop andholding device adapted to engage the grip in its inward movement to free it from the load-pulling rope and to hold it against return, and a manually-operative means for releasing the grips from said stop and holding device.

16. In a conveying device in combination, aload-pulling rope, an outhaul-rope, a grip secured to the outhaul-rope and adapted to engage the load-pulling rope to draw it outward, and means for pulling out the load-pulling rope independent of the said outhaulrope.

17. In a hoisting and conveying device in combination a trackway, a carriage thereon, a carriage outhaul-rope, a hoisting-rope having a guiding-support upon said carriage, a grip adapted to engage the hoisting-rope and movable upon the trackway, and a grip outhaul-rope having a guiding-support upon the carriage.

. 18. In a hoisting and conveying device in combination a trackway, a carriage thereon, a carriage outhaul-rope, a hoisting-rope having a guiding-support upon said rope, a grip movable upon the trackway and adapted to automatically engage the load-hoisting rope to prevent its being pulled inward through the grip but permitting its free outward movement therethrough, and a grip outhaul-rope having a guiding-support upon the carriage.

19. In a hoisting and conveying device in combination a trackway, a carriage thereon, a carriage outhaul-rope, a hoisting-rope hav ing a guiding-support upon said carriage, a grip between the carriage and the inner end of the trackway adapted to engage the hoisting-rope and movable upon the trackway, and a grip outhaul-rope having a guidin -support upon the carriage.

20. In a hoist-ing and conveying device in combination a trackway, a carriage thereon, a carriage outhaul-rope, a hoisting-rope having a guiding-support upon said carriage, a grip between the carriage and the inner end of the trackway adapted to engage the hoisting-rope and movable upon the trackway, a grip outhaul-rope having a guiding-support upon the carriage, and means for independently actuating said outhaul and hoisting ropes.

21. In a hoisting and conveying device in combination a trackway, a carriage thereon, a carriage outhaul-rope, a hoisting-rope having a guiding-support upon said carriage, a grip between the carriage and the inner end of the trackway, movable upon the trackway and adapted to automatically engage the loadhoisting rope to prevent its being pulled inward through the grip but permitting its free outward movement therethrough, and a grip outhaul-rope having a guiding-support upon the carriage.

22. In a hoisting and conveying device in combination a trackway, a carriage thereon, a carriage outhaul-rope, a hoisting-rope having a guiding-support upon said carriage, a grip between the carriage and the inner end of the trackway, movable upon the trackway and adapted to automatically engage the load-hoisting rope to prevent its being pulled inward through the grip but permitting its full outward movement therethrough, a grip outhaul-rope having a guiding-support upon the carriage, and means for independentlyactuating said outhaul and hoisting ropes.

23. In a hoisting and conveying device in combination, a tra'ckway, a carriage thereon, a carriage outhanl-rope, a hoisting-rope having a guiding-support upon the carriage, a grip movably supported upon the trackway between the carriage and the inner end of the trackway and adapted to engage the hoisting-rope, a fixed trip for releasing the grip from the hoisting-rope, a grip-holding device, means for releasing said grip-holding device, and agrip outhaul-rope having a guiding-su pport upon the carriage.

24. In a conveying device in combination, a support or trackway cable, aload-pullingcable, a grip havinga guiding-support upon the supporting-cable, a cam-dog and an abutment therefor adapted to grip the load-pulling rope between them, and a grip onthaul-rope.

25. In a conveying device in combination, a supporting or trackwaycable, a load-pulling cable, a grip having a guiding-su pport upon the supporting-cable, a cam-dog and an abut ment therefor adapted to grip the load-pulling rope between them, means acting to normally move the dog into gripping position, and a gripouthaul-rope.

26. In a conveying-device in combination, a supporting or trackway cable, aload-pnlling cable,a grip having a guiding-support upon the supporting-cable, a cam-dog and an abutment therefor adapted to grip the load-p ulling rope between them, a stationary stop adapted to engage the grip to release the load-pulling rope, catches thereon for retaining the grip, means for releasing the catches, and a grip outhaul-rope. I

27. In a conveying device in combination, a supporting or trackway cable, a load-pullin g cable, a grip having a guiding-support upon the supporting-cable, a cam-dog and an abutment therefor adapted to grip the load-pulling rope between them, a pulling-rope sheave at the inner end of the trackway, a stop secured to said sheave and adapted to engage the grip to release the load-pulling rope, catches thereon for retaining the grip, means for releasing the catches, and a grip outhaul-rope.

28. In a conveying device in combination a load-pulling rope,a grip outhanl-rope, a movable guiding-support for both said ropes, a grip adapted to engage the load-pulling rope, a yielding stop adapted to engage and release the grip from the load-pulling rope, catches swung by engagement with the grip to lockingly engage therewith, and engaged by the yielding stop to hold them in looking position, and means for manually retracting said stop to free the grip.

29. In a conveyingdevice in combination a load-pulling rope,a guiding-sheave therefor, a grip outhaul-rope, a movable guiding-supengage and free the clamping member of the grip, a catch mechanism carried by said stop device and adapted to engage the grip to prevent its return and locked in place by said retractable member, and means for retracting said member to free the grip from the catches when desired.

30. In a conveying device in combination, a load-pulling rope, a grip adapted to engage the load-pulling rope to prevent its running back through it, a grip outhaulrope, movable supporting-guides for both said ropes, a grip stop and holding device at the inward end of the conveying device and having a guide for the load-pulling rope, a retractable member in saidstop device adapted to engage and free the clamping member of the grip, a catch mechanism carried by said stop device and adapted to engage the grip to prevent its return and locked in place by said retractable member, and a rope secured to said retractable member whereby it may be retracted to free the grip from the catches when desired.

31. The combination with'a grip adapted to be secured to a rope and having side projecting ribs or flanges, and a trip member, of a stop therefor comprisingaframe havingthereon a retractable member adapted to engage the trip to release the grip, bell-crank levers pivoted on the frame and having one end normally lying between the retractable member and the grip and adapted under pressure of the grip to swing backward and outward to clear the said retractable member, the other end of said bell-crank being thereby hooked over the rib or projection on the grip to hold it, a spring acting to normally project said retractable member, and independent means for withdrawing said retractable member to free the grip.

32. A grip for use with cable-conveying devices comprising two side frame members, a cam dog pivoted between the frames and swung into engagement by gravity, a clamping-block between the frames and cooperating with the dog to grip the rope, and an outhaulrope attached to the grip.

A grip for use with cable-conveying devices, comprising two side frame members, supporting-wheels on the frame, a cam-dog pivoted between the frames, aclamping-block between the frames and cooperating with the dog to grip the rope, and means for attaching an outhaul-rope to the grip.

34:. A grip for use with cable-conveying devices comprising two side frame members, a cam-dog pivot-ed between the frames and having a projection adapted to contact with an object to release the grip, a clamping-block cooperating with the dog to grip the rope, and an outhaul-rope secured to the grip.

35. A grip for use with cable-conveying devices comprising a frame, a gripping-block.

movable by gravity to normally grip a rope to prevent its movement in one direction only, and an outhaul-rope secured to said frame.

36. In a conveying device the combination with a load-pulling rope, of two independently-operative outhaul devices for said loadpulling rope.

37. In a conveying device the combination with a load-pulling rope, of two independently-operative outhaul-ropes adapted to d raw out the load-pulling rope, and means for operating all of said ropes from a common point.

38. In a conveying device the combination with a load-pulling rope, and a movable guiding-support for said rope, of two independently-operative outhaul-ropes adapted to draw out said load-pulling rope.

39. In a conveying device the combination with a carriage and means for traversing it, with a load-pulling rope having a guidingsnpport upon said carriage, and a limitingstop therefor, and an outhaulmope having a movable clamping connection with the loadpulling rope between the carriage and the power.

4-0. In a conveying device the combination with aload-pulling rope, an outhaul-rope therefor, and an auxiliary outhaul-rope, of a guiding connection between the main outhaulrope and the load-pulling rope, a guiding connection between the two outhaul-ropes, and a shiftable connection between the auxiliary outhaul-rope and the load-pulling rope.

41. In a conveying device the combination with a load-pulling rope and two separate outhaul-ropes, of a sliding connection between one of said outhaul-ropes and the load-pulling rope, a sliding connection between the two outhanl-ropes and a controllable grip connection between the other outhaul-rope and the load-pulling rope.

THOMAS SPENCER MILLER. JOSEPH H. DICKINSON.

Witnesses to Millers signature:

H. L. REYNOLDS, CHAS. J. RATHJEN. Witnesses to Dickinsons signature:

EUGENE 0. SMITH, W. B. STOVALL. 

